Mid-Week Workshop::Floor Pillows

I mentioned in Monday's post that I was helping my friend, Nan, who, by the way refers to herself as my Sousstress( you know, like a chef has a sous chef to assist him/her, Nan is my seamstress assistant, a Sousstress). Nan was looking to cheer up some pillow forms in anticipation of house guests. Well, this got me to thinking about pillows and floors and tutorials and stuff to make to promote my new fabric collection.
And all that thinking led to today's mid-week workshop project, floor pillows.
Like these:

Don't those look squishibly comfortable? I think I'll add squishibly to the English lexicon along with sousstress.
Let me assure you they are. So, go ahead, grab some fabrics and make a few.

Here's how:

Materials:
About 3/4 of a yard of 2 coordinating cotton prints or solids
Self-healing mat
Rotary cutter
Quilter's clear, acrylic ruler
Coordinating machine sewing thread
Iron
Pins
24" x 24" pillow form

Cutting the Fabric:
1. From one fabric, cut a 24" x 24" square
2. From second fabric, cut two 16" x 24" rectangles

Making the Pillow Cover:
1. Working with one of the 16" x 24" rectangles,  wrong side facing up, press a 1/4" seam allowance, along one long edge.

2. Press an additional 1" seam allowance along same edge.

3. Machine stitch folded edge about 1/4" from fold.
4. Repeat steps 1-4 to make second half of envelope backing with remaining 16" x 24" rectangle.
5. With right sides facing, pin together pillow front (24" x 24" square) and stitched rectangles of envelope pillow back, making sure stitched edges of envelope backing overlap in center of pillow cover.
6. Using a 1/4" seam allowance, sew together all 4 edges.
7. Turn pillow cover right side out through envelope opening.
8. Press seams. Insert pillow form.

Begin squishibility testing with good book and glass of wine.

MD in APQ:: that's me in American Patchwork and Quilting

First off, I am so enjoying all your pie comments, both the unusual pies that I've never heard of and am tempted to google and the ones that I know so well that they bring back good and sweet memories. Keep those coming because the drawing is open until June 29 when I'll announce the lucky winner.

As for today's post, well this has been out for a couple of weeks. I know because I have received numerous lovely emails about this. I haven't posted about this myself because I hadn't received my copy until yesterday. What is this? This is my feature in the August 2012 issue of American Patchwork and Quilting. It has been a long time in the works, since last October in fact. Way back then, when the local temperature was below 100 degrees (the high was 113 degrees here yesterday), an editor and two photographers arrived on my doorstep to interview me, take pictures of my fabric line as well as my work, and just generally spend a lovely day with me. It was beyond terrific and pretty thrilling. I'm always stunned when folks want to know what I think. I mean, I want to know what I think and I hope that my family and friends want to know what I think, but I don't usually expect it beyond that circle.
Along with the article, I designed and wrote a pattern for a quilt specifically for this issue. You can view and access the pattern here, though I encourage you to buy the magazine and read the entire article.
Maybe through happenstance or not, I was teaching a class at Stitch Lab last Sunday that focused on making just this block. I had previously made a sample to promote the class, but was moved to make another one when I eyed Lucie Summers gorgeous Summersville prints all line up in a neat little row in the shop.

I combined those with a Moda Bella solid in a pale turquoise shade and one of the Flea Market Fancy reprints and in less than three hours I had this top cut and pieced.

I'm planning on backing this quilt with a Micheal Miller polka dot in red and white and quilting it in my, hopefully, trademark concentric spiral. I think I might even round the corners on this one just as a change of pace.
So easy, so fun, so quick and, so contemporary. What's not to love?

...And more

My new little friend came back for more sewing fun and this time crafted a very large and colorful pillow.

She decided to tackle this project because she already had the 25" x 25" pillow form, but the cover had gotten stained. Apparently a ball point pen made its way onto the pillow cover and marred it. Now that she has joined the cult of sewers, she didn't see this as a problem, but an opportunity to craft something even better than a store-bought cover. And, based on the picture above, it's easy to see that she did just that.

She certainly seems very happy with her creation.

Something new, but not necessarily blue

I'm working on a new class series for my local and lovely, Stitch Lab, and wanted to present a bit of a teaser for you folks close enough to attend.
The focus of this class series is essentially a block of the month, but rather than present an already established pattern, I've decided to design the blocks myself and for each block to teach a specific, yet simple technique. Also, since I'm a huge fan of the fabric offerings at Stitch Lab, each block will feature a grouping of fabrics available at the Lab.

My first block is constructed out of half-triangle squares and highlights the wonderful and color rich collection of stripes in Kaffe Fasset's collection. I love so many things about these fabrics, their linen-like feel, intensity of color and the way combining them creates secondary and tertiary designs. I love getting more design bang for my piecing buck.
Today's task is to craft the Moda Bella solids I picked out into the second block in the series.
For those of you wondering when all this fun will start, check the July/August schedule when it is published. And, if those months don't work for you, have no fear; I anticipate this being an ongoing offering.

Scrap Box Blocks

This morning I was at Stitch Lab teaching a class...to one student. That might seem like a bit of a bummer, but, in actuality, a couple things made it otherwise.
The first thing that made today's class into an opportunity was the fact that teaching one student means that I can sew along with that student. Once I give instruction, there's really no reason why I shouldn't work on a project too. In fact, it makes for a more social class. We sew. We talk. We sew some more.
Knowing that I only had one student, I came prepared with a project in mind. I also brought some fabric, though, truth be told, I am at Stitch Lab, and could purchase yards and yards worth of great fabric. Instead, I decided to rely on the fabric I brought with maybe a supplement or two from the communal scrap box we keep at the lab.

I'm thinking that today's scrap box blocks should become a new mini quilt.

The other thing that made this morning's class so wonderful was the student herself. Now, most students are super enthusiastic and fun, but this gal was all that and an amazing inspiration as a person. She works for Green Doors and helps folks who are homeless "achieve independent living." Just listening to her talk about the work she does with children and adults who are struggling just to be and sensing the real love she has for the people she encounters was enough to make for a beautiful morning. Add some sewing to that and...people, we have nirvana.

Fish Baby Log Cabin Class

I spent the morning teaching the first half of my Fish Baby Log Cabin class. The design was originally created as a baby gift for my swim coach, Andrea Fischer, also known as Fish and eventually made it's way to Sew, Mama, Sew as a PDF pattern. I currently have even grander plans for this pattern, but am also enjoying teaching it to my super-enthusiastic students at Stitch Lab.
Here are a few images from today's session.

Two Weeks, Two Giveaways

I wasn't planning on doing a giveaway so soon after the one last week, but the opportunity presented itself. And then it inspired a project...sort of. So, another giveaway it is.
Before I get to that though, I want to tell you a little about the project and how you might apply it to the giveaway item should you be the winner.

Brief digression: I took these shots at a local thrift store that I've mentioned here before, Pieces of the Past. It's on Burnet road, just a bit south of Koenig lane. The place is jam packed with treasures, but don't bump into anything because it's also a house of cards.
Anyway, back to the subject at hand, the pillow. The top is made from some charm squares of a stitch in color and a grey cotton. I modified my windows sewing machine cover block from my book to accommodate the larger charm squares.

 I then quilted the top using squiggly(technical term) lines along the diagonal. I didn't plan this out, but as luck would have it, the diagonal squigglies look remarkably like a miniature version of the windows pattern. Kismet.

I crafted a zippered opening using a Denyse Schmidt cotton that she apparently sells at Joann's. Who knew? Then I bound the edges as I would a quilt and, voila, fabulous pillow for my sofa.
So, are you all assuming that the giveaway item, which, by the way, is being donated by the super-lovely Tammy at Marmalade Fabric, is a charm pack of my a stitch in color collection? Well, if you've made that assumption you're...wrong. The giveaway prize is even better because the fabric pieces are bigger and bigger is always better when you're talking fabric.
Tammy is giving away this:

This, my dear readers, is a layer cake. That means the squares are 10" x 10".  If you used the same concept I used on the pillow with these squares, adjusting the size of the solid strips accordingly, you could easily make a large quilt lickety split. You don't have to, of course, but I'm planning to.
You want it don't you? Well, then you know what to do.

Also, if you're local, please come by Sew Much More on Anderson Lane this Friday from 6-8pm for my reception/book signing celebrating my fabric line as well as my book. I will be there signing and schmoozing and will return the following morning to give a seminar on utilizing color and pattern.

AND, I'm not done, if you are on the Austin Marathon/ Half Marathon route this Sunday morning, please come out and cheer for the runners. Believe it or not, we really appreciate it.

30-Day Challenge:: Scene from a Day

I had planned on featuring two pictures today. I snapped the first one this morning just before I headed out for a run around beautiful Town Lake( sidenote: nobody I know calls it Ladybird Lake. Sorry Johnson family). It was super early and dark, so I didn't notice how out of focus it was. So, no early morning scene from near the zero mile marker. Maybe another time.
This photo happened many hours later as I was teaching a free motion machine quilting class at Stitch Lab. Things were hopping today there and both classes were full and buzzing with excitement, just like I like it. One of my favorite things about teaching is meeting folks who are literally brimming over with excitement about learning what it is you plan to teach. It really makes you appreciate the skill and tune into what a privilege it is to pass it on to someone else. Who knew that learning how to machine apply stitches to a surface could make people so happy and stir their imaginations? There's frankly no way to walk away from teaching there without feeling recharged. 

I'm Back...

This, of course assumes you wondered where I was. I hadn't planned on taking a break from blogging, but between regular life and the myriad of Jewish holidays that fall this time of year...I did.
Anyhoo, I'm back and I have a project to share as well as some information for you local folks who might like to join me in a class or two.
As some of you know, I teach classes in a variety of sewing topics over at Stitch Lab. I've actually taken a break this past September and October from teaching so I could focus on getting ready for Quilt Market, but new classes start up in November and I  have some new offerings.
So, in prepping for these new classes, I've had the opportunity to re-make a few much-loved designs, including this one:

 This is another version of the Fish Baby Log Cabin quilt that I shared with you as well as folks over at Sew, Mama, Sew. The original has long since gone to it's recipient who is now about 3 months old and seriously cute with or without the quilt.
The version featured here is headed to Stitch Lab to help promote the class and hopefully get some of you locals inspired to make this easy, quick project along with me.
For a complete listing of the offerings at Stitch lab, click here.

Kismet

Oh my. This is my 400th post and it's the last day in May and I've been gone for a while, so there's got to be some kismet here.
I actually got back from California last week, but have been completely immersed in a project that, like most of the projects I work on, I can't really show yet. I'm not going to lie to you, all this covert crafting has made me feel that I've become so adept at keeping a lid on things that I'm thinking I might have a future at the CIA. I could start by stitching up their emblem as a round quilt.
What I have been authorized to tell you is that I had a fabulous time in California.

I offer this photo taken by Jennifer, my new friend from Bernina, as evidence that I did have loads of fun in California.
Also, as proof that my classes were super fun and filled with creative, enthusiastic students, take a gander at these:

These were made in the Color Your Cloth workshop I taught at The Sewing Party

These three are from the Strings Attached improv class also taught at The Sewing Party  

 

The top foursome of blocks were made by Jean Impey. She was one of my hostesses in Laguna Hills and a terrific friend. I'm pretty convinced that, despite our age difference, Jean and I were twins separated at birth. She's quite the talented quilter and teaches classes at The Sewing Party as well as making quilts on commission.
So there you have it, incontrovertible evidence that I liked California and it might just have liked me back.

Merriam-Webster Word of the Day: Kvelling

Kvelling: (verb). Yiddish word for the act of bursting with pride often accompanied by a wide smile and potentially a misty quality to the eyes.
I am kvelling today. I've had several experiences over the past few day where someone has taken a class from me or made something from one of my patterns and done such a great job that I had to exclaim, "Oh man, that is so fabulous."
For instance check out Cindy's interpretations of the Fish Baby Log Cabin. Yup, that's right, she made two in a marathon two-day sewing session that I'm guessing may have involved copious amounts of caffeine.
And, take a gander at some of the student blocks made at this past weekend's Improvisational Piecing workshop organized by the Austin Area Quilt Guild.

 

This block is crafted out her own hand dyed cottons.

Add to that, today I got an email from the lovely Jessie who just recently took my Strips and Stripes class at Stitch Lab. Check out Jessie's fabulous finished quilt...and her proud smile.

Of all the classes I teach I'm always blown away by the quilts made in the Strips and Stripes class. I had originally thought it would be the hardest class to teach, but everyone seems to get the color concepts and they all make the most amazing tops.

There's nothing like the thrill of seeing a design idea come to life and realizing that something that you've conceptualized actually makes sense as an object, but seeing other folks interpret those designs is a super close second.

Winners and More

Will the following people please raise their hands? Or maybe send me an email(malka@stitchindye.com) with your mailing address.
Jenny:
what a neat idea! would love handwritten labels on all my quilts.
Erica:
What a fabulous way to transfer text. I am itching to have a go! Please include me in your giveaway
Diane:
I'm excited to go check out your pattern! I love your quilt. :) I am also so excited to try the transfer sheets! I am just starting out with free motion quilting, and it would be great to practice words! (Especially because then I can put my baby's name in her quilt when I finish it up!) Thanks for the chance to win some!
Jerri:
I would so love to try this...
Krista:
Oh, I love, love, love your quilt! 
And I'd love the chance to win the Saral transfer paper! It's been on my list of things to pick up.

Congratulations to all of you! I'll have your sample packs out faster than you can start contemplating how much fun it would be to transfer and stitch the entire text of The Declaration of Independence.

I've got more to share with you all today. First off, has anyone else noticed that they are potentially reading this post along with 1000 other folks. Today I reached the 1000 followers mark and there's just something thrilling about that. To those of you who are new, welcome and I'm glad you stopped by. To those who've been here for a while, hey, it's nice to see you again.
May is looking to be super busy. This Sunday I'm teaching a nearly sold out workshop for the Austin Area Quilt Guild all about Improvisational Piecing. I've been designing and making these type of quilts for almost as many years as I've been making quilts. I'm going to be basing my class on a sidebar I wrote for Fresh Quilting titled 10 Ways to Love Improvisation and to help illustrate some of those ways I've been making a few sample blocks. Here's a little peek at one of the blocks that I got so excited about I decided to quilt and bind it.

Seeing as the workshop is this Sunday and I still have a couple other block samples I'd like to make, I don't think I'm going to let myself get that carried away again.
I am also teaching this workshop at CREATE Mixed Media Retreat in Costa Mesa California, May 18-22. My Thursday, May 18, workshop is sold out, but the Friday, May 19, Improvisational Piecing workshop still has space available. And, if sunny California is not your thing then I'm also offerring this workshop at CREATE Mixed Media Retreats in not-so-sunny Chicago on Thursday, August 25.
Also, while I'm in Southern California I'll be teaching 3 other workshops at The Sewing Party in Laguna Hills.
Add to that a wee little talk I'm giving this coming Monday evening to the AAQG monthly meeting and I'm looking at a May filled with a little more than some flowers or pilgrims for that matter (don't say, huh? If April showers bring May flowers, then what do May flowers bring?)
So, if one of you 1001 folks happen to be at any of these event, please let me know. We'll work on our secret handshake.

Let's Step Inside

I mean that sincerely, especially today because, holy bovine, it's still so cold outside. I will be none too pleased if we are forced to endure a cold winter and a blazing summer. That will definitely count as not fair.
Weather aside, though I could spend pages and pages discussing it, I really do want you to step inside with me at Stitch Lab in Austin. As some of you might remember, they hosted a terrific launch party for my book and I mentioned that I was scheduled to teach some classes there. Well, tomorrow is today, though not exactly, but my classes are listed and available on their site. Some are even sold out, so in hopes of sounding like I just sprang forth from Tudor England, " do not tarry."
Brief aside to discuss my obsession with that particular historical era. I just finished listening to Margaret George's historical novel, The Autobiography of Henry VIII. 41 hours. That's how long the book was. You can't get better book listening value than that. Margaret George's book came on the heels of Alison Weir's The Lady in the Tower. Of course with Henry, it's hard to pin down exactly which lady was in the tower, but, in this case, it was Anne Boleyn. That was preceded by Alison Weir's The Lady Elizabeth which was recommended to me by a fabulous reader/librarian. I'm also currently reading Alison Weir's The Six Wives of Henry VIII. Add to that I recently read that Hilary Mantel who wrote the Booker prize winning Wolf Hall all about Thomas Cromwell, the much maligned councilor to King Henry who she attempts to rehabilitate by pointing out that he liked little dogs, is writing a follow-up novel focusing on the last years of Cromwell's life. Thank goodness there are dye baths to make and quilts to sew because I've got to do something while listening to my stories.
Whew! I'm ready to get back to my point. If you've clicked through to the Stitch Lab link then you already know that I'm teaching a variety of classes, both quilt and project classes. Want to learn how to make this, this, and this?  How about a pair of these or something like this, this, or these?
Or maybe you want to make your own version of this:

This is my newest version of my Strips and Bricks quilt. I posted a sneak peak or two a couple of weeks ago.

Now it's all quilted and bound and ready to be the sample for the class that I'm teaching at Ye Oldde Stitch Lab.

Baby it's cold in here

I have an air conditioner and I'm not afraid to use.
Heck, I want you to come over and enjoy it with me.
My new air conditioner is in my formerly un-airconditioned garage also known as my dye space. Now it's just a standing unit and, because the doors are open, it really works best if you're standing close to it, but, it makes a HUGE difference.
While you're enjoying the newly conditioned air, you can also be learning how to dye fabric like I did in this quilt.



The technique is called itajime and I've used it to create patterns on fabric in a bunch of my quilts and pillows.
On August 15, my air conditioner and I are hosting a workshop to teach this technique to folks who live or will be in Austin, Texas. I've posted all the info here, so check it out if you're interested.

Also, there's still space in my Dyeing to Learn Batik workshop happening this Sunday, July 25.

Bye for now!

Dyeing to Learn Batik

You all haven't heard from me for a little while and, more importantly, I haven't heard from the giveaway winner. So, before I plunge head first into this post, I've selected another giveaway winner.

She is Eve and she commented:

So glad everyone is safe! What a scary week.

So Eve, please contact me at malka@stittchindye.com and I'll get you the fabric and skirt tutorial ASAP.

I'm thinking that based on the title you all might already have guessed that the focus of this post is the dye class I mentioned here a while back. Well, I'd love to turn that assumption on its head, but I can't. I'm practically bursting to tell you about the class because it went so well and, as often happens with teaching, I think the evening ended with me having gained more inspiration from the students than they could possibly have gotten from me.
It's really no wonder when you take a gander at the beautiful fabrics they made.






My initial plan was that the class would primarily center on demonstrations with the students having a chance to try the techniques.
We explored applying wax with brushes,a variety of found object stamps,



and traditional batik tools.





I was so impressed with their willingness to try all the tools and their innate sense of patterning that I went ahead and made a couple dye baths in chartreuse and red. I boiled out their fabrics yesterday and ironed them because I wanted to really enjoy the fabrics in their full glory. Since most are local, they'll swing by and collect their beauties. Otherwise, I'll drop the fabric in the mail.
Sometimes it takes seeing a fresh approach to the techniques that you practice daily to recharge your excitement. I was planning on making this class a one time deal, but I so enjoyed it that I'm going to offer it again next month. I'll amend my listing on Etsy to reflect a new date.
I'm also looking into offering a shibori dye class as well. This class would teach patterning fabric with plexiglass shapes rather than wax resist. I'll update you all here when I've firmed up plans for that.